Box-assembling machine.



'Patented Apr. 219; |902. V

H. ERICKSON. BOX ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

(Application med nu. 115,'1901.)y

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No. 698,482. Patented Apr.`29, |902.

H. EnlcKsuN. l BOX ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

. (Application'hled nu, 1s, 1901.;

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEE-ICE.

HAETVIG ERICKSON, oF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.`

Box-ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

sPEcIEICATIoN foimig part or Letters Patent No. 698,482, flan-. 1y Apri129, 1902.l

. i i i w Application filed March 15 1901'. Serial No: 51,399. (No Infidel.)V

To @ZZ whom it mag/concern,.-

Be it known` that L'HAR'rvIG-EEICKSON, of

Qhcago,in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Box-Assembling Machines, of which the-following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a machine for holding some of the parts of a box in a proper position while the remaining parts of the box are nailed or attached thereto.

` An especial application of the machine is for themanufacture of egg-cases, and in carrying out the `invention some novel features will be found in itsconstruction. Notably amongfthem are theclainping `devices for quickly-'grasping -and holding in a vertical position the three cross-pieces ofthe egg-case and holding them rigidly while the bottom and sides of case are nailed to the cross-pieces. u

Another feature is the means for quickly releasing a completed box from the machine;

These features and other details are illustrated in the drawings and will hereinafter be fully described.

In the drawings are the following views: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying featuresjof my invention, the clamping devices being shown in an open position the same with the three` cross-pieces of an egg-case clamped in a position ready to receive the bottom and sides of case. wFig. 3 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section of the machine,taken on the line 4 tof Fig. 2, the sides and bottom being shown attached to the cross-pieces. Fig. 5 is a face view ofone of the clamps. Fig. 6" is a sectional detail taken on line 6 6 of Fig. l, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail of one oftheV heads and bearingin same.

A refers as 'awhole to a stationary metal frame for supporting a movable cradle. This stationary frame is,l preferably of U shape7 consisting of a horizontal part d, having a truss-likeunderportiono. and two uprights d2 a3, providedat their tops with heads B B', which have bearingsfor supporting the journals or trunnions of the cradle. The uprights a2 a3 and the based are preferably made integral, as this adds to the rigidity or stiffness of the frame as a whole.

cure the proper length of bearing.

`Viewed i from the side the cradle thus constructed is of U shape. The rods c2 form a support or bed for the cross parts of a box when arranged on the cradle. The hub of each of the end frames or pieces C C2 has trunnions or pivots c3, which are preferably made hollow. These trunnions enter tubular sockets Z) inthe heads B B and have bearings at b in same.

To take up the longitudinal thrust developed'during the operation of clamping, I provide the following means: Each head is made with a removable portion b2, having a cup-like socket b3. b4 are machine-bolts for coupling the `part b2 to the head, a washer b5 being placed between themwhen necessary to se- At the end of each trunnion and in the cup-socket are placedtwo steel plates or washers b, which have rounded contact-faces.

"catch c5, which engages notches Non a segment 178 on the head B. The cradle may be oscillated or shifted readily on its axis by hand and given,forinstance,a quarter-turn (ninety degrees) to one side or tothe other, when the spring-catch will engage anotch at one of those points a'nd retain the cradle in that position While the box is being nailed. The cradle is counterweighted byhaving an arm c6 projecting fromthe hub C'. This arm is provided with a weight c7. The"arm""c1 may also be employed to carry a counterweight. To clamp theends of a box, and,i1'1 making egg-cases,"a middle partition@ employ the following means, the end"crosspiecesbeing referred to by the middle one by the bottom of box sides w3, "end cleats x4, and the box as a whole by X.

D is a vertical plate secured to oneend of the cradle, and `l) is a `movable plate at the opposite end. This movable plate is mounted on a screw d, which enters a screw-threaded Idd socket d in the hub C of cradle and its trunnion.

d2 is a hand-wheel for operating the screw.

To prevent the plate D from turning when the screw is operated, I provide said plate with pendants or arms d2, secured to small slide-rods d4, below the rods c2.

E E' and E2 E3 are clamping-plates. The plates E E' E2 are capable of tilting, and these plates have lugs e, which are pivoted to brackets c, mounted on the rods c2, by having apertures e2, through which the rods pass. The brackets have projections below the rods c2, and these projections have bores e2, through which the slide-rods d4 run. Between each bracket is a cross-piece e4, and between these cross-pieces, so as to keep the plates-viz., E E and E2 E2-at a respective distance between the members of each pair, are horizontal plates or connections e5,secured by screws or other suitable means to said cross-pieces e4. The plate E2 is secured to the cradle by means which are similar to those employed in securing the other plates, and to prevent the plate E2 from tilting a brace EG runs obliquely from top of plate to one of the brackets beneath the plate E3. The objectof not tilting this plate is so that it will form a Vertical guide for placing a board or cross part of box between the two middle plates ot' the cradle. On the rods d4 are placed collars e7, secured by set-screws e8. These collars engage the brackets e when the slide-rods are in a certain position, as shown in Fig. l, the object being that when the plate D has been moved away from the box about an inch the collars on the slide-rods will engage the brackets and move the two pairs of plates (E E and E2 E3) a short distance, so that the box X may be removed from the cradle without the cleats 504 catching against parts of the cradle. The clampingplates arecross-scored, so as to provide a 'multiplicity of points or small projections e10 for engaging the boards and holding them securely during the operation of nailing the box; otherwise if placed between smooth` plates they would likely slip out of position.

Each pair of plates E E and E2 E3 are connected by toggle devices F. Each device E consists of two small levers or joints ff', pivoted to the backs of the plates at f2, lugs e9 being provided for the purpose. The levers ff are pivoted together at f3. Each leverf is made in two parts and screw-threaded and provided with a connectingr nut or sleeve f4 for adjusting the length of the lever. Pendent from the lever atf3 is a clip f5, having a rodfi extending down through the cradle, with a projection or foot]7 extending toward the opposite rod f 6. These rods are connected by a tube or cross-piece f2. By making one lever of each toggle-joint adjustable, as shown at f4, Fig. 2, the clamping-plates may readily be adjusted to suitably clamp various thicknesses of boards employed in the construction By connecting the two toggle of the boxes.

devices withthe pendants f6 and cross parts ff8 I am enabled to knock the two toggle devices out of their binding or clamping position by simply striking the cross part f8 when the cradle is tilted. To further loosen the parts, the hand-wheel d2 is revolved, thus retreating the clamping-plate D into a position shown in Fig. 1, the arms d3 also pulling the slide-rods d4, which after movinga certain distance have the stops e7 engage the brackets e ot' each series or pair of intermediate clamping-plates, thus pulling them along sufticiently to allow the completed box to be removed without the end cleat x4 engaging the stationary plate D. This method of connection between the movable end plate and intermediate plates is not absolutely essential, as the intermediate plates could be moved by hand after the plate D has been moved away from the end of the box. The horizontal plate c5, connecting the brackets of each set of clamping-plates, serves as a base for adj usting the brackets and keeping them in a proper position relative to each other.

G is a device for alining the boards or cross parts of a box when placed on the cradle. This device preferably consists of a movable and receding gage g, mounted on arms g', which project from the lever g2, pivoted to frame at g3. The lever g2 is provided with a connection to a foot-lever, so that the gage may be raised by foot into a suitable position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4.

The operation of the machine is as follows: When the clamping-plates are in an open position, as shown in Fig. 1, the cross parts a: and of a box are arranged across the rods c2. The toggle devices F are then pressed down until the joints are in a horizontal position and the tilting plates are in an upright position. The hand-wheel d2 is then turned, so as to move the screw outwardly and move the vertical plate DT against one of the cross parts and shove the plates along until the plate D also engages the opposite end of box. The parts will then be in the position as shown in Fig. 2. The toggle-levers when closed have their axis or longitudinal center coincident with the axis of the pivots or trunnions of the cradle, the screw d' being moved until all the boards are clamped tightly. The sides of the box may now be nailed on and the bottom nailed on, the cradle being oscillated or turned on its axis for each side, the catch c5 engaging one of the notches bl, and thusholding the cradle in a suitable position while operation ot' nailing the box together is being performed. On the box being completed the toggle devices are rst shoved up by' means of the part f8. The hand-wheel d2 is then turned, causing the plate D to recede and the other plates to separate from opposite end of box. All the parts will then be in the'position shown in Fig. l and the box may be removed.

It will thus be seen that my invention provides a comparatively simple and effective machine for assembling and holding the cross IOO IIO

parts of a wooden box while the sides and bottom are being nailed on.` It is also especially adapted for the making of egg-cases where the sides and bottom are in one piecefor instance,`made of a strip of wood-pulp secured to cross parts of wood.

What I claim isfl. A box-assembling machine provided with a U-shaped stationary frame having heads on its uprights, a cradle having trunnions mounted in said heads and provided withend clamping-plates, means for adjusting said plates relatively to each other and two series of intermediate clamping-plates, the plates of eachseries being connected by toggle-levers, as set forth.

2. In a box-assembling machine, a cradle, means for holding parts of a box on the cradle, a frame for supporting the cradle, the said frame-consisting of a horizontal part a, uprights 0.20.3, integral with the part a, and provided at their tops with heads having bearings for trunnions on the cradle, the part a of frame being provided with a pendent under portion a', as set forth.

3. In a box-assembling machine, an oscillating cradle provided with clamping-plates twov pairs of said plates being connected with toggle-joints, said joints being inthe axial line of the cradle when the plates are set in a closed position, as set forth. 4. In a box-assemblin g machine, a movable cradle provided with means for holding parts of a box, the said cradle consisting of two triangular endpieces C C2 connected by rods C, and the said end pieces being` provided with trunnions, asset forth.

5. In a box-assembling machine, a cradle having a horizontal bed for supporting a box, vertical end pieces connected to the bed and having trunnions which are mounted 4in a stationary frame, one of said trunnions having a screw -threaded socket in which is mounted a screwjfor adjusting one of the clamping-plates of the machine, as set forth.

6. In a boxfass'embling machine, a cradle, theV ends of which have trunnions mounted in the heads of a stationary frame, the said cradle being provided at its ends with projecting arms, one of which carries a counterweight and another a spring`` catch which engages notches in a segment on oneof the heads of the stationary frame, as set forth.

7. In a boxassembling machine having plates for clamping the ends of the box, plates for clamping a middle partition in the box,

and toggle devices for closing said plates, the said devices being connected together with means for throwing them out of their clamping position, as set forth. p

8. In a box-assembling machine, plates for clamping opposite parts of the box withtog gle1evers connecting'two of theplates so as to set both plates at once, as set forth.

9. In a box assembling machine, plates which clamp two opposite parts ofa box, the said plates being connected by toggle levers or joints and one of said levers being provided with means for adj usting same, as set forth.

l0. In a boxassemblin g machine a-stationary frame, provided with heads which have bearings for the trunnions of a movable cradle, `said bearings being provided`with endthrust cups or parts having friction-disks, as set forth. p n

1l. In a box-assembling machine, sliding brackets on which are` mounted platesfor clamping the box interiorly, end plates `for clamping box exteriorly, one of said exterior' plates being movable, and provided with means for disengaging the interior-plates, from parts of the box when the exterior plate is moved longitudinally.

12. A box-assembling machine, comprising a stationary frame, acradle provided with two end parts, having trunnions mounted in the stationary frame, a clamping-plate at` tached to one of said end parts of cradle, a movable clamping-plate having a screw entering the other end part,a wheel for rotating said screw, intermediate clamping-plates having toggle connections,vsaid plates being mount; ed on brackets which slide on rods ofcradle, and connections for engaging the brackets and moving the intermediate plates afterone of the end plates has been released from its clamping position, as set forth.

' 13. A machine of class described, having an oscillating cradle, means for retaining cradle ina set position, and a longitudinal pivoted gage provided with means for bringing the gage into a position along the side of cra-` dle, so that the parts'of "a box placed onthe cradle may be alined, as setforth. .n

` Intestilnony whereof I have `hereunto set my signature this 2d dayof March, 1901.

HARTvIe ERICKSON.

In presence of-- CHAs. L. OHLSEN, J. B. HALPENNY.

nog. 

